He expects to get that sense when games are close and opponents have to deal with Carlos Gonzalez batting third and himself in the cleanup spot. Each of the Rockies' standouts homered in each of the first two games of the season.

"It's just a good feeling when you know that you feel dangerous," Tulowitzki said. "You feel like the other team knows when you're coming up. They have to plan their pitching around it.

"I know when a lefty's getting up, 'CarGo' is there, but then I'm over there knowing I might get a chance to face a lefty unless they bring the righty in. You see the whole game change a little bit when we're both swinging the bat well and hitting three and four."

Gonzalez is just happy he doesn't have to do his damage without Tulowitzki. Last year, Tulowitzki played in just 47 games due to a left groin injury.

"He's one of the best players in the game," Gonzalez said. "Having him healthy, any team would like to have him in the lineup. We all feel pretty good when he's in the lineup because he can do a lot of things on the baseball field. He can win games by himself, offensively and defensively, too."

Most experts expect the Rockies, with questionable starting pitching, to finish in the lower part of the National League West. Manager Walt Weiss isn't giving in to those expectations, partly because of the heart of his batting order.

"Seeing 'CarGo' and 'Tulo' in the 3-4 holes is nice," Weiss said. "We've got to have those guys if we're going to make a push at this thing."